A POLICE officer has been for a lavish lunch in luxurious surroundings following his hard work in the community.
In recognition of his work in local schools North Wales Police officer Dewi Owen, based at Penygroes, was invited to a ‘garden party at Buckingham Palace’.
PC Owen will be going to the palace in recognition of his work as a School Community Police Officer helping deliver the SchoolbeatCymru Programme to local children, and their parents.
The policeman works in an area covering the Dwyfor and South Arfon area where he works with a total of 36 schools.
His role involves delivering ‘Preventative and Safeguarding Education’ to pupils aged 5-16 covering a number of topic areas including drug and substance misuse, social behaviour in the community and personal safety as part of the All Wales School Liaison Core Programme.
The aim of these inputs is to safeguard youngsters and prevent harm while reducing crime and disorder amongst youngsters through preventative education.
It also helps build an excellent relationship between young people and the Police.
PC Owen has also regularly worked in partnership with the North Wales Police Cyber Crime Team as well as external agencies such as the NSPCC to arrange events giving advice and guidance to parents and guardians about how to keep their children safe online.
These sessions supplement the Internet Safety lessons delivered to the pupils at schools ensuring that parents and guardians are also aware of the latest threats that social media and messaging apps can bring in order to make sure that their children stay safe online.
Pc Owen received a High Sheriff Personal Award from the High Sheriff of Gwynedd Prof Sian Hope OBE at The High Sheriff’s Annual ‘Crimebeat’ Awards Ceremony held at Bangor University on 22 March 2018.
The award was given to PC Owen in recognition of his vital work with schools in his area.
As further acknowledgment of his work, having been nominated by Prof Sian Hope OBE, PC Owen has received an invite from The Lord Chamberlain on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen to attend at Buckingham Palace at the end of May.
PC Owen said “It was a honour to represent North Wales Police at Buckingham Palace.
“I had a wonderful time on a sunny and warm afternoon and it was a great experience to see Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge on the lawn in the Palace Garden.
"I was also quite surprised when The Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick walked over to introduce herself and shake my hand and she was very interested to hear about the work that officers do in schools across North Wales. It was definitely a day to remember.”
“Important Prevent and Safeguarding work by Police Officers happens throughout North Wales schools on a daily basis and last year alone the North Wales Police School Community Police Officer Team delivered Crime Prevention and Safeguarding sessions to a total audience of a 176,447 pupils via lessons, assemblies and safeguarding sessions.
"There is no doubt this work carried out by North Wales Police Officers is having a positive impact upon the lives of a significant number of youngsters in our area.”